Israel Adesanya dropped by BMW after ‘ rape ’ comments to rival Kevin Holland

BMW have ditched Nigerian- born UFC fighter Israel Adesanya as an ambassador after an offensive comment he made in an online video. The Nigerian- New Zealander who was to be unveiled as the face of BMW in New Zealand , had told possible future opponent Kevin Holland in an online video , “ Bro , I will fu ** ing rape you . ” According to Australian TV network Nine , he has since lost his potentially lucrative deal with the car manufacturer . A statement released by BMW read ; “ Due to the comments made by an athlete online, we have reviewed our pending association with said athlete and we have decided not to push forward with a specific ambassador for the brand at this time in New Zealand . ”
Adesanya later admitted he “ crossed the line ” and has since apologised . In a short statement he shared on Twitter , the 185 - pound UFC champ said: “ Last weekend fight talk escalated to a point in which I crossed the line . “ I understand the gravity of this word and how it can affect and hurt other people apart from my opponent, although that was NEVER my intention. “ I am still to growing under the spotlight, and I take this as a lesson to be more selective with words under pressure . ” New Zealand ’ s Deputy Prime Minister , Grant Robertson who is also the sports minister had blasted the middleweight champ and urged the UFC to consider taking action .

He said; “ There is never a time to make flippant comments about rape . It ’ s just not something anybody should do . “ I ’ m sure Israel understands that. I believe he has deleted the tweet in question . It will be up to the UFC as to what they do . “ But I would certainly be making clear to him , and to anybody actually, that we have to take rape seriously . “ It ’ s not an issue that anyone should be making jokes or flippant comments about at all . ”